jeer 1 of 2

as in snort
a vocal sound made to express scorn or disapproval ignored the jeers of the other team's fans and just focused on making her free throw shot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jeer

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word jeer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of jeer are fleer, flout, gibe, scoff, and sneer. While all these words mean "to show one's contempt in derision or mockery," jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

When could fleer be used to replace jeer?

In some situations, the words fleer and jeer are roughly equivalent. However, fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

In what contexts can flout take the place of jeer?

The words flout and jeer can be used in similar contexts, but flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Where would gibe be a reasonable alternative to jeer?

While the synonyms gibe and jeer are close in meaning, gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

When can scoff be used instead of jeer?

While in some cases nearly identical to jeer, scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

When is it sensible to use sneer instead of jeer?

The words sneer and jeer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of jeer
Noun
What To Know Ahead of the WWE showcase on Saturday night, American singer Elizabeth Irving performed the U.S. national anthem and was met with a loud number of boos and jeers from the crowd at Toronto's Rogers Centre. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025 The courtroom broke out in a mix of cheers, clapping, and jeers as soon as the verdict was read. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
People were heard cheering or jeering during the event, and the KCRCC said Borrenpohl interjected seven times. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 8 Mar. 2025 There is, however, this difference: in those old days the multitude that stood by was permitted only to guy or jeer. Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jeer
Noun
  • There was always laughter, followed up by an occasional snort sometimes!
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The book, with illustrations by English artist Hannah Farr, tells the story of how Henri gets bullied in doggie daycare because of his loud snort.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Verb
  • In this new dispensation where might makes right, any appeal to moral considerations in the practice of American foreign policy is ridiculed as a deficiency of the weak while the amoral exercise of power is venerated as a virtue of the strong.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 26 Mar. 2025
  • He was often ridiculed by contemporaries, including renowned adherents of the Nation of Islam such as Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali, as being too actively focused on integration and too passively focused on Black empowerment, critiques of the Black political establishment that persist today.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the show's ruminations revolving around Dorian's ego, there is no vanity in this performance where Snook sweats, sneers, and dashes across stage.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • One is Giovanni Battista Moroni’s Portrait of a Woman (ca. 1575), in which a leery-eyed woman stares down at her viewer, pressing her lips into the faintest of sneers.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The plans, mocked up by Populous, include a sky bar overlooking the pitch, a stadium roof-walk experience, a 3,000-capacity fan zone, a 400-bed hotel (part of the Radisson group), a new club shop and museum.
    Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Social media trends come and go, but one craze that appears to have outstayed its welcome is the desire to mock millennials (people born between 1981 and 1996).
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But for just as long, any such talk has been met with smirks and sneers from outside Connecticut.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2025
  • But Jordana didn’t seem to think much of it other than a smirk.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • There were boos and an exodus that left empty seats during the 6-0 home loss to Arsenal in February.
    Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • During the national anthem, obviously the Rogers Centre, overwhelming boo.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • League sources stifle their snickers in public while privately marveling at the owner’s ceaseless stupidity. 3.
    Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • So he must be placed in the Apparition section, next to ghosts like John Barron, sharing a snicker with Ivana.
    Greg Marotta, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jeer. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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